Legal issues delaying publication of Leas Cross report

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has admitted there is little likelihood of the report into the deaths of elderly patients at the Leas Cross nursing home being published in the near future.

The report into 95 deaths at the nursing home in north Co Dublin was prepared by geriatric consultant Professor Des O'Neill.

Responding to questions from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny in the Dáil today, Mr Ahern said legal issues were delaying publication of the document.

"The Government have not got the O'Neill report," he said.

"The report, as I understand it, is with the HSE and there are constitutional issues of natural justice that will have to go through a fairly painful and legal process before that is dealt with."